Basketball Ireland weekend preview

After a weekend of unexpected results and thrilling games that brought teams into overtime and in some cases double overtime, it is now time to look ahead to this weekend’s fixtures.

In the Nivea for Men’s SuperLeague Moycullen take on DCU Saints.

The Galway side welcome the Dubliners to their home court after they secured their first victory of the season over UCD Marian last weekend.

With the game going into double overtime, Moycullen are now hoping that the confidence they obtained from the big game will carry through to their next encounter.

Head coach of Moycullen Salva Camps said: "We were delighted with the win last weekend but understand that DCU Saints will be difficult opponents for us.

"They are a very strong team with big inside players that will cause us some problems so we need to stay focused for the full 40 minutes to come away with a good result."

However, it is DCU Saints that face the challenge of bouncing back from two tough losses. They missed out on a win last weekend when they were defeated by Bord Gais Neptune.

Dublin Inter will face off with UCC Demons as they welcome the Cork side to the National Basketball Arena.

The newcomers fell to UL on the road last weekend after they had maintained the lead at half time.

However, with the team back to full strength they will hope to make a statement this weekend when they take on the undefeated Demons.

Demons enter the game coming off the back of a strong performance over Killester and holding the top of the league table position.

Across the Liffey, Killester will take on UL Eagles in the IWA in Clontarf.

Unfortunately for Killester they enter the game coming off a loss to UCC Demons last weekend but with the northsiders eager to return to winning ways, this weekend could be a turning point for them.

However, UL Eagles they have set themselves up nicely coming into the game after their win over Dublin Inter last weekend.

Finally in the Men’s SuperLeague, Bord Gais Neptune will see UCD Marian in Cork on Saturday evening.

Neptune come into the game on the back of a win over DCU Saints last weekend while UCD Marian enter the encounter after a, hard-to-swallow, double overtime defeat to Moycullen at home.

Neptune will be keen to continue their current winning run, speaking about his side, Mark Scannell, Head Coach of Neptune said: "We are on a good run at the moment and are training very hard. As a team we are where we want to be."

Scannell reiterated, “We did lose to UCD Marian a few weeks ago so we are not taking anything for granted. However, I feel that we have learned our lessons and will be well prepared for a good game.”

Meanwhile in the Nivea Women’s SuperLeague there are no league fixtures set, however, Killester will face Ulster Rockets in the first round of the Women’s SuperLeague National Cup to see which team will qualify to the next round.

Speaking about the game, head coach for Killester, Mark Grennell said: "We need to bounce back from a horrendous performance last weekend.

"Looking at the cup draw we could have a nice run if we work hard at it. This game will be tough though, Ulster Rockets have bodies returning so they will be keen to improve on their performances over the last few weeks also."

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